How many times have you told or asked your child to say ‘excuse me’? Gee, there are times I feel like a broken record and then I wonder if they are really listening. The ‘they’ I’m referring to are the ‘children’. Yes, teaching manners is essential but no one ever told us how difficult it was to teach and instill manners. How many times will I have to ask them to say ‘excuse me’ when I’m in the middle of a conversation or perhaps on the phone? There are also times when they should say ‘excuse me’ when they bump into a person, and that person can be their siblings. Or perhaps it was repeated when they ‘burp’ or release any other bodily odors..you know what I mean?
So, again I ask you … do you feel like a broken record? I certainly do at times, and many times it is very frustrating. What I have noticed is that with consistency it truly will work. There are times that I wonder if they will ever use those 2 special words, and then there are times when they will surprise me. I’ve actually overheard my younger children correct the older siblings and remind them to say ‘excuse me’. Yes! That’s when I realize that they are listening to me. Although I wonder if they will ever ‘get it’…they always seem to surprise me, which is a wonderful feeling.
Don’t give up! The time will come when your children will actually behave the way you have taught them. And, no I don’t mean when they are asleep…they will truly start behaving as little people instead of little wrecking machines. The moment may not be evident until after the tween years, but believe me it will happen. As long as you don’t lose your cool, and you are consistent with the reminders and have them repeat after you. Moms there’s hope and I am living proof. With 5 children ages 6 to 18, there is never a dull moment. I have experienced the times when I just want to pull my hair out, or the times when I feel I should just record my requests but there are also those times of amazement and love. You are doing a great job, Mom..be patient, consistent and loving and all will fall into place.
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